"Working with the foundation in its various programs has allowed me to work through the grief of my son's death. It has given me a safe place where I can always talk about him, and no one thinks I'm crazy. Even after all these years, I still want to talk about him. And I know that sharing my experience and memories through the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation helps others who may be going through a similar loss. To newer parents, it provides the hope that they too will survive and overcome the unimaginable!
Even more importantly, I do the "Taking Care of Our Own®" or the "Everyone Goes Home®" workshops with other fire departments. I'm often asked by some of the participants, "Why do you still put yourself through reliving your loss?" I believe it’s important to remind them, with my words and sometimes even tears, of how they have to take care of themselves – in hopes that they will be even more careful and aware in the line of duty, so their own moms will never experience my kind of loss. Then I know I have done something worthwhile in Eric's memory. In the end, each of these experiences helps me further along in my personal Grief Journey – you never get over it; you just learn to live with it."
On March 23, 1998, Eric F. Reiner died in a heart-breaking helicopter crash; he had been airlifting a young girl who was seriously injured in an auto accident. The three paramedics and the young girl died when the helicopter crashed from rotor failure. Eric served the City of Los Angeles Fire Department for ten years.
In honor of Eric's memory, Helen has been a member of the Fire Service Survivors Network of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation for over nine years. Through the Network, she reaches out to newly-bereaved parents throughout the year all over the United States. During the Annual Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, MD, she co-facilitates Mothers' Small Groups. Helen is also a facilitator for the Taking Care Of Our Own® Training Programs presented to regional fire departments throughout the country by the Foundation. Helen represents the foundation at local, state and national fire service meetings as needed.